Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

Ala. Code § 7-3-420

Conversion of Instrument.

Known as the Uniform Commercial Code

The act spans §§ 7-10-101 to 7-9A-809 (703 sections).

Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case 887 F. Supp. 2d 1158 - Southland Health Services, Inc. v. Bank of Vernon (2012)

Most recently applied in Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Nat'l Bank of Commerce (June 2017)

(Acts 1995, No. 95-668, p. 1381, §1.)

(a) An instrument is converted under circumstances which would constitute conversion under personal property law. An instrument is also converted if it is taken by transfer, other than a negotiation, from a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or a bank makes or obtains payment with respect to the instrument for a person not entitled to enforce the instrument or receive payment. An action for conversion of an instrument may not be brought by (i) the issuer or acceptor of the instrument or (ii) a payee or indorsee who did not receive delivery of the instrument either directly or through delivery to an agent or a co-payee.

(b) In an action under subsection (a), the measure of liability is presumed to be the amount payable on the instrument, but recovery may not exceed the amount of the plaintiff’s interest in the instrument.

(c) A representative, other than a depositary bank, who has in good faith dealt with an instrument or its proceeds on behalf of one who was not the person entitled to enforce the instrument is not liable in conversion to that person beyond the amount of any proceeds that it has not paid out.

Official source: Alabama Legislature (ALISON). Reproduced from public-domain Alabama statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.